Kirill Gerstein: Schubert, Liszt & Stravinsky

Kirill Gerstein piano

From the clarity of Stravinsky, the pianist takes us through Schubert's powerful C minor Sonata to the high Romanticism and thrilling virtuosity of Liszt.

Kirill Gerstein brings to life three fascinating worlds of piano music: Stravinsky's neo-classical 1924 Piano Sonata is followed by the visionary intensity of Schubert's Sonata in C minor, the first of his revered final trilogy, written a few months before his untimely death.

Then Gerstein plunges us into the limitless colours and breathtaking virtuosity of Liszt at his most extravagantly Romantic.

This selection ranges from a profound sense of grace in solitude to a vivid musical depiction of St Francis of Paola walking on the waves.

The piano arrangement of 'Gretchen' brings intimacy to the tender slow movement of Liszt's Faust Symphony.

Finally the Sonata Après un lecture de Dante is Liszt's hair-raising tribute to the poet's Divine Comedy and its depictions of the hereafter - all conveyed through the magic of one person at one piano.